Case No COMP/M.2661 - WINTERTHUR / PRUDENTIAL ASSURANCE

Only the English text is available and authentic.

REGULATION (EEC) No 4064/89 MERGER PROCEDURE

Article 6(1)(b) NON-OPPOSITION Date: 12/12/2001

Also available in the CELEX database Document No 301M2661

Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 12/12/2001

SG (2001) D/292723

MERGER PROCEDURE ARTICLE 6(1)(b) DECISION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE

PUBLIC VERSION

To the notifying party

Dear Madam(s) and/or Sir(s),

Subject: Case No. COMP/M.2661-Winterthur/Prudential Assurance Notification of 09 November 2001 pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation 1(EEC) No. 4064/89 Publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities No. C 322/06 of 17/11/2001, p. 22

1.On 09.11.2001, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 by which the Swiss based non-life insurance company Winterthur Swiss Insurance Company (ìWinterthurî), which is controlled by the Swiss Credit Suisse Group (ìCSGî) acquires sole control of Prudential Assurance Company Ltd (ìPrudential Assuranceî; UK), a wholly-owned subsidiary by way of purchase of assets.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

1OJ L 395, 30.12.1989 p. 1; corrected version OJ L 257 of 21.9.1990, p. 13, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1310/97, OJ L 180, 9.7.1997, p. 1, corrigendum in OJ L 40, 13.2.1998, p. 17.

2OJ L 395, 30.12.1989 p. 1; corrigendum OJ L 257 of 21.9.1990, p. 13; Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1310/97 (OJ L 180, 9. 7. 1997, p. 1, corrigendum OJ L 40, 13.2.1998, p. 17).

Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Bruxelles/Wetstraat 200, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium Telephone: exchange 299.11.11 Telex: COMEU B 21877. Telegraphic address: COMEUR Brussels.

-- CSG: is a Swiss group offering financial services and private banking, asset management and pension solutions world-wide.

-- Winterthur: is the holding company of CSGís non-life direct insurance businesses in the UK, Churchill Insurance Company Ltd (ìChurchill Insuranceî) and The National Insurance and Guarantee Corporation plc. (ìNIGî).

-- Prudential Assurance is an insurance company incorporated in England and Wales active in the non-life insurance business (Prudential General Insurance: Prudential GI).

2)After examination of the notification, the Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 and of paragraph 4, subparagraph c of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89.

For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the common market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89.

For the Commission

Signed by Mario MONTI, Member of the Commission

3OJ C 217, 29.07.2000, p. 32.

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